Abstract: A system for an embodiment includes a sensor device having at least one sensor adapted to monitor at least one parameter associated with a circuit and selectively provide measurement information on the at least one parameter. The at least one sensor may include an electrical sensor adapted to monitor an electrical parameter of the circuit for the sensor device to selectively provide as the measurement information, and wherein the sensor device includes a wireless transceiver within the sensor device and is adapted to transmit the measurement information and receive control information. The system may further include a receiver indicator device having a wireless transceiver and adapted to wirelessly receive the measurement information from the sensor device, provide the control information to the sensor device, and provide an indication based on the measurement information to a user operating the receiver indicator device.

Abstract: Techniques for self-calibration of transceivers are described herein.

Abstract: A method for determining an obstruction in an air circuit, the air circuit having a fan and a motor that drives the fan, includes the steps of obtaining a load current of a motor coupled to the air circuit, comparing the load current to a predetermined value, and determining the obstruction using the load current and the predetermined value.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring rub detection in a machine are provided. An alternating current voltage signal may be transmitted or communicated to at least one component of the machine. The transmitted signal may be monitored in the at least one component and at least one characteristic associated with the monitored signal may be compared to an expected value for the at least one characteristic. Based at least in part on the comparison, a rub condition or potential rub condition may be identified between the at least one component and another component of the machine.

Abstract: There is described a method and a system for evaluating damage of a plurality of cells in an electrolyser. The method comprises acquiring a voltage for each one of the cells; comparing the voltage to at least two threshold voltage levels; classifying the cells as one of: severely damaged cells, non-severely damaged cells and undamaged cells, based on the comparison of the voltage with the at least two threshold voltage levels; and deactivating the cells classified as severely damaged cells from the electrolyser.

Abstract: A steam cooker includes a steam generator including a heating chamber defining a volume for holding water. A heat exchanger is associated with the heating chamber so as to generate steam. A steam superheater superheats steam traveling from the heating chamber to a steam cooking chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for evaluating a silicon wafer by measuring, after fabricating a MOS capacitor by forming an insulator film and one or more electrodes sequentially on a silicon wafer, a dielectric breakdown characteristic of the insulator film by applying an electric field from the electrodes thus formed to the insulator film, the method in which the silicon wafer is evaluated at least by setting an area occupied by all the electrodes thus formed to 5% or more of an area of a front surface of the silicon wafer when the one or more electrodes are formed. This provides an evaluation method that can detect a defect by a simple method such as the TDDB method with the same high degree of precision as that of the DSOD method.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring line voltage in a circuit breakor includes a controller configured to calculate a voltage difference between the neutral voltage and the AC line voltage of positive polarity based on a first signal and a second signal and assign, using a polarity signal, the voltage difference value to the AC line voltage of positive polarity and the second signal to the AC line voltage of negative polarity. Because the AC line voltage of positive polarity can be calculated based on the first signal and the second signal, the number of signals requiring A/D conversion is reduced, and the number of circuit components needed to measure the AC line voltage is reduced.

Abstract: A CPU voltage testing system and method uses a parameter storing unit to store a number of VID codes and a plurality of allowable voltage ranges. A number of VID code control signals corresponding to the number of the VID codes are sent to a VID code coding unit to control a voltage converting module to output corresponding voltage signals to a CPU. A voltage collecting unit collects CPU core voltages of the CPU and outputs the collected CPU core voltages to a data processing unit. The data processing unit can determine whether the collected CPU core voltages are within the plurality of allowable voltage ranges via comparing with a number of testing parameters stored in the parameter storing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a distance of a phase-to-phase fault or a three-phase fault on a three-phase electric line, the apparatus (40) being configured to determine a first estimate value for a distance between the measuring point (40) and a point (F) of fault on the basis of a first equation based on a fault loop model in which the point of fault is located between the measuring point and load of the electric line, and a second estimate value for the distance on the basis of a second equation based on a fault loop model in which the load of the electric line is located between the measuring point and the point of fault, and to select according to predetermined criteria one of the determined two estimate values as the distance between the measuring point (40) and the point of fault (F).

Abstract: Circuitry and methods are provided. Voltage and current of an electrical load are detected, scaled and biased to derive respective voltage and current signals. Frequency-modulated signals corresponding to the voltage and current signals are respectively derived. The frequency-modulated signals are communicated between different electrical domains by way of optical isolation barriers. The frequency-modulated signals are processed to improve linearity and to time-correlate the signals to discrete samplings of the load voltage and current. Control of a printer or other device is performed using the processed signals.

Abstract: A system for the detection of welded contacts in a circuit of a line converter system has a plurality of inverter switches, a plurality of utility switches in which a pair of utility switches is connected in series through a line to a utility, a voltage detector, an electronic controller, and a DC input source. The line converter system converts incoming DC power into AC output power that is delivered to the utility grid. The voltage detector measures the voltage across a first node and a second node of the circuit and provides an output that is interpreted by an electronic controller for each step performed during a method of detection of welded contacts. The detection method has a sequence of test steps in which at least one switch is opened and/or closed, a DC bus of the inverter or the utility grid is used as a stimulus voltage, and the voltage is measured.

Abstract: A method of determining a differential power condition includes comparing a voltage across a resistor to a first threshold. The voltage across the resistor is proportional to a difference between a first current and a second current. The method also includes comparing a difference between the first current and the second current to a second threshold. A differential power condition is determined in response to the voltage across the resistor exceeding the first threshold, the difference exceeding the second threshold, or both.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for measuring the leakage current of capacitive components is taught. One embodiment includes a first stage amplifier configured to receive an input from a serially-connected capacitive component at an inverting input and a feedback resistor in a feedback path of the first stage amplifier. A resistance value of the feedback resistor is programmable based on an expected value of the leakage current and a corresponding voltage output.

Abstract: Multiple embodiments relate to a method for detecting a fault on a data line in a bus system in a two-line data network having at least two control units. A data signal is emitted by a transmitter-receiver unit on the two data lines as a differential voltage signal that includes a defined quiescent current. The data lines are mutually connected through a resistance bridge for detecting the middle voltage. The middle voltage is detected directly by a microcontroller after a low-pass filter or as a digital value after an analog-to-digital conversion. The result is displayed and/or stored. A circuit arrangement for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line (30) of an electric network, comprising determining an equivalent load distance curve of the electric line (30) representing a voltage drop along the electric line scaled by an equivalent load distance of the electric line, determining a fault distance line indicating an estimate of a distance of the fault (F) from the measuring point (40) in relation to the equivalent load distance, determining a distance at which the equivalent load distance curve and the fault distance line intersect when superimposed, and selecting the determined distance as the distance between the measuring point (40) and the point of fault (F).

Abstract: A compressor monitoring system includes current and voltage monitors, current and voltage averaging modules, a control module, and a switch. The current monitor measures a current drawn by a motor of a compressor. The current averaging module generates first and second average current values based on the current measured by the current monitor. The voltage monitor measures a utility power voltage. The voltage averaging module generates first and second average voltage values based on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The control module selectively generates a fault signal when a first ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold and a second ratio is less than a second predetermined threshold. The first ratio is based on the first and second average current values. The second ratio is based on the first and second average voltage values. The switch deactivates the motor when the fault signal is generated.

Abstract: A video circuit including a video amplifier adapted to generate an amplified output video signal from an input video signal; a short detection circuit adapted to generate a first signal indicative of whether there is a short present at an output of the video amplifier; and a load detection circuit adapted to generate a second signal indicative of whether there is a load coupled to the output of the video amplifier. The video circuit may further include an input signal detection circuit adapted to generate a third signal indicative of whether an input video signal is present. The third signal generated by the input signal detection circuit may be used to enable the outputting of the first and second signals in order to prevent the false indication of faults at the output of the video amplifier in the absence of an input video signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting failures in an illumination device includes at least two light emitting diodes connected in series. The apparatus includes a first, a second, and a third circuit node for interfacing the illumination device such that the voltage drop across at least two light emitting diodes is applied between the first and the second circuit node and a fraction of the voltage drop is applied between the second and the third circuit node. An evaluation unit is coupled to the first, the second, and the third circuit node and configured to assess whether the electric potential present at the third circuit node is within a pre-defined range of tolerance about a nominal value that is defined as a pre-defined fraction of the potential difference present between the first and the second circuit node.

Abstract: The solder-joint integrity of digital electronic packages, such as FPGAs or microcontrollers that have internally connected input/output buffers, is evaluated by applying a time-varying voltage through one or more solder-joint networks to charge a charge-storage component. Each network includes an I/O buffer on the die in the package and a solder-joint connection, typically one or more such connections inside the package and between the package and a board. The time constant for charging the component is proportional to the resistance of the solder-joint network, hence the voltage across the charge-storage component is a measurement of the integrity of the solder-joint network.

Abstract: The electricity distribution network comprises a plurality of interconnection lines for the distribution of electricity among a plurality of interconnection boxes. At least some of said interconnection boxes are combined with a control unit for detection of stray voltage, comprising a transmitter to transmit to a receiver of at least one collecting unit a signal relating to any dispersion.

Abstract: A system for sensing the amplitude and phase of an RF current flowing in an antenna element of a directional antenna system that uses a sampling device such as a current sample loop that is connected to an antenna monitor with fiber optic cable. The system uses an interface at the current sample loop on each of the antenna elements to convert an RF current sample to an optical signal. The fiber optic cable transmits the optical signal to the antenna monitor where it is converted back to an electrical signal for appropriate phase and amplitude comparison with the RF currents sampled from other antenna elements in the directional antenna system.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining a circular characteristic for distance protection of a three-phase electric line, the system comprising means for detecting a fault on the electric line, means for identifying a faulted phase or phases of the electric line, means for determining, at a measuring point, a first fault loop impedance by using voltage(s) of the faulted phase(s), a second fault loop impedance by using a polarization voltage and a third fault loop impedance by using predetermined line parameters, and means for determining a radius and midpoint of the circular characteristic.

Abstract: Methods for AC fault (ACF) detection are provided. In addition, methods for AC fault (ACF) detection and verification are provided. In addition, methods for identification of a module which is the cause of an AC fault (ACF) are provided. In one implementation, one or more of these methods can be combined to provide a fast, simple, low cost and reliable ACF detection, verification and/or identification.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a current source, a current monitor circuit which monitors a current amount of the current source, and outputs a current amount signal corresponding to the current amount being monitored, a counter circuit which counts a count value based on the current amount signal, the count value corresponding to a period being taken until when the current amount reaches a predetermined value, and a control circuit which modifies an operation parameter for operating a circuit unit according to the count value.

Abstract: A device for analyzing defects, particularly for items made of plastics, such as battery casings and the like, comprising at least one probe, which is adapted to be moved closer to, or to come into contact with, the item made of plastics to be tested, the probe being provided with a plurality of elements to which a high voltage is applied.

Abstract: A diagnostic circuit is configured for connecting to a unit under test that has a load and a sinusoidal source. The diagnostic circuit includes a voltage sensing device that has an input for sensing a signal, a first terminal for connecting to the load, a second terminal for connecting to the sinusoidal source, and a relay connected between the first and second terminals for connecting the sinusoidal source to the load. Clamping diodes are provide for clamping a sinusoidal signal and include a first clamping diode connected between a D/C voltage source and the input and a second clamping diode connected between ground and the input. A resistor is connected between the D/C voltage source and the first terminal. The diagnostic circuit verifies the operational functionality of the load, related wiring and connections.

Abstract: An integrated ground fault detection circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a shunt resistor provided on a positive rail of a DC bus, a high voltage pocket including a sensory circuit connected to the shunt resistor and operable to detect a fault condition indicating a short circuit and a transmitter section operable to continuously transmit a fault condition signal indicating the fault condition and a low voltage pocket including a receiver operable to receive the fault condition signal from the sensory circuit and a logic unit, connected to the receiver, and operable to provide a fault output signal indicating the presence of a fault condition based on the fault condition signal.

Abstract: An electrical safety monitor includes line inputs for an L1, an L2, an L3, and a GND three-phase connections, a line monitoring circuit having a plurality of light indicators and configured to produce light if voltage exists between any two of the line inputs to thereby indicate presence of voltage to a user, and a current generating circuit electrically connected to the line monitoring circuit and adapted to generate a test current to the line inputs to transition the device from dead to live thereby allowing the user to discern between a failure state of the line monitoring circuit and an off state of the line monitoring circuit. The current inducing circuit can include a magnet which induces the test current, stored energy, a photocell, an electroactive material or other means for generating the test current.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a partial discharge counter for the diagnosis of a GIS. The partial discharge counter includes a partial discharge detection sensor for detecting a partial discharge. A first surge inflow prevention circuit separates a surge signal from an output terminal of the partial discharge detection sensor. A channel 1 frequency conversion module forms a low-frequency signal. A noise detection sensor detects noise. A second surge inflow prevention circuit separates a surge signal from an output terminal of the noise detection sensor. A channel 2 frequency conversion module forms a low-frequency signal. An ADC circuit generates partial discharge data and noise data. A synchronization device enables the partial discharge data and the noise data to be output in synchronization with frequency of the phase voltage. A digital signal processing unit counts a number of times the partial discharge occurs. Counting units display a count value.

Abstract: Voltage measuring instruments and methods of measuring the amplitude of an input signal are disclosed. In an example method of measuring the amplitude of an input signal, in an AC measurement mode, the input signal is coupled through a capacitor, the RMS amplitude of the input signal coupled through the capacitor is determined, and a digital value corresponding to the RMS amplitude is provided. In an automatic measurement mode, the RMS amplitude of the input signal is determined without first coupling the input signal through the capacitor, and a digital value corresponding to the RMS amplitude of the input signal is provided. Further disclosed is a calibration procedure may be used to compensate for any offset of an amplifier of the voltage measuring instrument.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for testing high dielectric capacitors. A testing process whereby voltage and temperature is varied to provide temperature dependent plots to determine the reliability of a capacitor is provided. A testing system is demonstrated to measure capacitor reliability and/or relative capacitor reliability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity of a ground member coupling a substrate support to a chamber body in a plasma processing system is provided. In one embodiment, a processing chamber is provided that includes a ground path member coupled between a substrate support and a chamber body. A sensor is positioned to sense a metric indicative of current passing through the ground member. In another embodiment, a method monitoring the integrity of a ground member coupling a substrate support to a chamber body in a plasma processing chamber includes monitoring a metric indicative of current passing through the ground member during processing, and setting a flag in response to the metric exceeding a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A leakage detection can be correctly performed both in a DC high voltage circuit and in an AC high voltage circuit in a vehicle-mounted power supply system. Under a state where a contactor 17 is turned off, all IGBT elements (switching elements) 76 in an IGBT inverter circuit 12 are turned on, and an AC signal Vs is applied to an applying point P. Then, a voltage measured at a voltage measurement point Q is compared with a threshold value to detect whether or not the leakage exists.

Abstract: Systems and methods for overvoltage and undervoltage detection may be implemented with a fully differential circuit that includes a coarse comparator and a band gap based fine comparator. The coarse comparator may determine if the battery is closer to an OV condition or an UV condition. Based on the output of the coarse comparator, the trip point of the fine comparator is adjusted. The outputs of both comparators are pull-up circuits whose output is decoded to determine if an OV or a UV condition has occurred. The systems and methods accomplish valid circuit outputs even when the voltage across the battery reduces to zero volts. This may be achieved by using an active low signal for the UV condition and an active high signal for the OV condition. Thus, when the battery voltage goes to zero, the circuit evaluates to the correct output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a phase-to-earth fault on a three-phase electric line of an electric network, comprising determining, when the ratio of a fault current and load current has a first value, a first fault distance line which indicates an estimate of a distance of the fault from the measuring point in relation to an equivalent load distance, determining, when the ratio of the fault current and load current has a second value which differs from the first value, at least one second fault distance line, determining a distance at which the determined fault distance lines intersect when superimposed and determining the distance between the measuring point and the point of fault on the basis of the determined distance or distances of intersection.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing utility data of a power grid is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a datamart comprised of a plurality of physical databases storing utility data, a plurality of applications comprising an automated meter application configured to process power usage data from a plurality of automated meters, a power outage application configured to identify a location of a power outage, and a power restoration application configured to identify a location of a power restoration. The system may include an analysis engine comprising a plurality of analysis objects with each analysis object configured to process data to provide a specific analysis, wherein said analysis engine is accessible via one or more of the plurality of applications, and the system may include a report module configured to receive an output from the analysis engine and to output a report.

Abstract: A method of monitoring voltage stability within an electrical power system comprises the steps of establishing a dynamic power system stability margin based on an operating characteristic of the power system; indicating that the power system has become unstable when the dynamic power system stability margin falls below a predetermined value; and initiating dynamic load shedding and/or restoration depending on stability margin.

Abstract: A current measurement circuit includes: a constant-voltage loop circuit including an operational amplifier, and a first resistor for current detection connected to an output of the operational amplifier, the output of the operational amplifier being fed back to an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier via the first resistor; a differential amplifier for current detection with an input of a voltage between both ends of the first resistor; and a saturation prevention and recovery circuit connected to the both ends of the first resistor for preventing saturation of the operational amplifier and/or accelerating recovery from the saturation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is a low series impedance directional power detector, which may be used to measure either forward or reverse power in a radio frequency (RF) circuit. The directional power detector includes current detection circuitry to directionally measure current, voltage detection circuitry to measure voltage, and combining circuitry to combine the directional RF current measurements and the RF voltage measurements into a combined RF measurement, which is indicative of directional power. The current detection circuitry and voltage detection circuitry apply any phase-shifts that are needed to detect power in the direction of interest and ignore power in the opposite direction when the directional power detector is presented with a complex load.

Abstract: A sensor device determines a value based on a sensed parameter by applying a voltage across two voltage terminals of a sensor. In response, the sensor provides an electrical signal representative of a sensed parameter to a controller via a pair of conductors. The controller samples the electrical signal to determine the value. In addition, the controller alternates the polarity of the voltage applied to the voltage terminals, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the conductors due to ion drift.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one Rogowski coil and a processor. The at least one Rogowski coil is positioned within an electrical power distribution network to detect a first traveling wave current caused by a fault on an electrical power transmission line of the network, generate a first signal indicative of detection of the first traveling wave, detect a second traveling wave current caused by the fault on the transmission line, and generate a second signal indicative of detection of the second traveling wave. The processor is adapted to receive the first signal and the second signal and to determine, based on the first signal and the second signal, where on the transmission line the fault occurred.

Abstract: A control system for an electrical power system includes an electrical corrective device, a voltage measuring device coupled to each phase of the electric power system, a current measuring device connected between each phase of the electric power system and the electrical corrective device, and a protective device connected to outputs of the voltage measuring device and the current measuring device. The protective device includes a controller configured to detect an imbalance using the measured voltages and currents output from the voltage measuring device and the current measuring device without using or independently of other recent voltage or current measurements for other points in the electrical corrective device and independently of a neutral-ground measurement at the electrical corrective device.

Abstract: A ground fault detection device includes a sense coil including a primary winding and a secondary winding to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor. It also includes a capacitor in parallel with the secondary winding and a virtual inductor to form a resonance circuit having a signal proportional to the current and being indicative of a ground fault condition.

Abstract: Applicants have created an improved method and apparatus for remotely monitoring an electrical load and assessing key attributes of power-related anomalies and line disturbances caused or created by the electrical load and qualifying their conformity to certain expected steady state conditions. The apparatus includes an intelligent power distribution module that can include a power output section, a power input section, a communication section, and related circuitry. The intelligent power distribution module can further include a memory section, a sensing device, a processing device, and a switch. The method for monitoring an electrical load having a current and voltage requirement supplied by an electrical source coupled to the load generally includes: interfacing a sensing module between the load and the electrical source; sensing one or more characteristics of the load; and determining the performance of the load sensing.

Abstract: A method for providing redundant power control to a load using a digital output module includes coupling at least one sourcing driver to a voltage supply and to a first output terminal, coupling at least one sinking driver to a voltage return and to a second output terminal, and coupling a load to the first output terminal and to the second output terminal. The method also includes sensing a failure in one of the at least one sourcing driver and the at least one sinking driver.

Abstract: A device has built-in inductive load testing capabilities. The device includes a device housing, an inductive load disposed within the device housing; and test circuitry disposed within the device housing. The test circuitry is constructed and arranged to effectuate application of a modulated test signal to the inductive load, and obtain a result signal in response to the application of the modulated test signal to the inductive load. The test circuitry is further constructed and arranged to generate an output signal indicating that the inductive load is in one of (i) a shorted inductive load state, (ii) a normal inductive load state, and (iii) an abnormally high inductive load state, based on the result signal. Such test circuitry is well-suited for testing a variety of devices having inductors/coils which are susceptible to defects (e.g., a solenoid, a motor winding, various actuator components, etc.).

Abstract: A system and method for measuring a cable resistance in a power over Ethernet (PoE) application. A short circuit module in a powered device is designed to produce a short circuit effect upon receipt of a cable resistance detection voltage. The cable resistance detection voltage can be designed to be greater than a voltage for detection or classification and less than a voltage for powering of the powered device. The measurement of the current at a time when a short circuit effect is produced at the powered device enables a calculation of the actual resistance of the cable on a given PoE port.

Abstract: First and second resistors are provided between a first input/output terminal and a power supply terminal, and between a second input/output terminal and the power supply terminal, respectively. Third and fourth resistors are connected to the second and first input/output terminals, respectively. First and second current-switching switches couple either the first input/output terminal side or the second input/output terminal side with a first current source and a second current source, respectively, according to the value of pattern data. A level shift circuit shifts the electric potentials at the second terminals of the third and forth resistors by a predetermined level. A comparator circuit compares the electric potentials at the second terminals of the third and fourth resistors level-shifted by the level shift circuit with those at the second terminals of the fourth and third resistors, respectively, and generates first and second comparison signals according to the comparison results.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and computer program product for determining the direction of fault in an electrical power system as well as to a fault handling device. In the fault handling device the voltage at a measurement node of the power system is measured, the phase (?PF) of this voltage (VPF) before a fault is stored, the phase (?F) of this voltage (VF) at the end of a time interval (TI) following directly after a detected fault is determined, a phase offset (?O) is determined as the difference between the phase (?PF) of the measured voltage (VPF) before the fault and the phase (?F) of the measured voltage (VF) at the end of the time interval (TI) and the phase (?F) of the measured voltage (VF) after the detection of the fault is adjusted with the phase offset (?O). Thereafter the adjusted measured voltage is used in determining the direction of fault in relation to the measurement node.